A Cold Shoulder - 4

 As I carelessly scroll down the Instagram, I thought of searching for "Aisha Shyam". Expectations and Reality has a difference, I have learned. She's not on Instagram. "Okay! Not a social media person." 

I go to the shower. She wants to have a meet up with me, a casual one maybe. "Kunal, stop thinking. She isn't your girlfriend. And you just kissed her because of the situation. There's nothing like that."
I try to say  this to myself over and over again.

"So, how was the night, Banerjee?"
"Areee, puch mat, she's literally eating me up as if I am a chocopie. The role was played by her only most of the time."
"Still inside?"
"Yes. She told that she would go by herself only."
We both laughed.
...................
Preparing breakfast for the three of us, I've narrated Banerjee about the last night scenario. He's super excited. I completed everything, cleaned the room and drive my Honda to her place. I see myself in the mirror, do my hair a little so that I look good and presentable.
I go upstairs. Knock at her flat. After almost half an hour the door opens. Yes, I forget to add her number in my contact list, I realized then. A woman, forties somewhat opened the door. For a moment I have thought maybe she's a relative of her. "Yes, who do you want?"
I am nervous. "Aisha....Aisha Shyam"
"Uhh...no sorry. There's no one in this building named Aisha Shyam. You must have been in the wrong place."
Okay, what I just have heard - that I never expected in my fucking head. This is wrong! This is insane. The girl with whom I have spend the night suddenly disappears. The same building. The same stairs. Same flat. But a different lady.
"Ma'am can I just have a glass of water?"
"Sorry...but who are you? How can I let a stranger come inside suddenly?" She raises her voice.
"Ma'am please try to understand. I have been here before. This flat belongs to a girl name Aisha. She works in TCS. I personally came here to drop her. This is the same flat."
"Just shut up. Pta nhi kya bakwas kre jaa rhe ho. Just get out or else I shall call the security."
I took a brief glance at the interior. Yes, the interior has been exactly same. Buy the pictures beside the cupboard aren't there.
I don't know what is going on. Is this a dream or reality?
"Sorry ma'am. I am sorry."
I leave immediately. The turn cold. Where are you Aisha? I really miss you. I hope she listens.
I call Banerjee. I explain everything to him."Bring Mishra along". I approach the security gaurd, in the meantime. I pass a 500 rupee note to him. He looks at me in confusion. "I need to check the CCTV footage of the building. 2nd floor."
"Iski kya zaroorat thi." He give me a nice smile.
And I get another shock. There's no any footage of us. Yes, the time that I have dropped her is completely clean. But, after a few minutes, the door opens. There is this lady in the footage.
"Has there been a girl here named Aisha? Do you remember any?"
"Yes sir. She worked in TCS. But, she left almost a year ago sir."
God, I can't take this anymore. What the fuck is going on? First, the lady. And now the security gaurd.
"Do you have any contact number. I am sure you all keep a record of the people residing here?"
"Sir, one year old record books aren't available with me. Maybe, you can contact the Secretary of the building."
I take the contact number of Secretary Bose. I get a call. "We reached. Where are you?" Banerjee and Mishra have arrived.
"Uhh okay. I am coming. Be in the gate."
"You can't just get away from me easily. I shall be coming again. If you lied. Give me yours too, now!" I tried to trick the gaurd.

...............

I move towards the gate. I tell them, what just happened with the lady and gaurd. They consoles me. Three of us decided to go to my room and think what should be done next.
"I have never seen or heard something like this before." Mishra says.
"Is she a liar or fraud?" Banerjee adds.
"K, listen. You have met her for one night. Leave it yaar. There's nothing in it. You don't love her neither she. Just let it go, K!"
"Yes, Mishra's right K. Just ignore what happened. You don't have her number. Nor anything that might help you get in touch with her."
"But, what about the flat. It's the same flat. How can things change just for a couple of hours? This is insane!" I breath heavily.
"Is there anything that she said. Anything regarding her family. Where she lived?" Banerjee asks.
"No, I just know that she works in TCS. HR department."
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go."
"Abbey chadh gya he kya? We are going after a clueless thing. We know nothing about her." Mishra is right.
"But we can give a try right? Just for K? Please Mishra?"
"Yeaaaa..alright. As if my opinion matters here." Mishra says in a low tone.

We drive to TCS in Mishra's Alto. All time I am just thinking about her, her smile. Our kiss. Her story. And these mess that's going on! I have least hope.

Am I gonna be able to get any info about her?


......to be continued....